The native range is in north-eastern and eastern Brazil, across Caatinga, Atlantic Forest, forest edges and secondary habitats. People introduced it widely in south-eastern Brazil, where introduced populations must be distinguished from the native range. [1,2]
Animal Diversity Web reports a head–body length of about 12–15 cm, a 29.5–35 cm tail and a mass of roughly 300–360 g. Other datasets may use different measurement conventions, so individual records should state the method. [1]
White ear tufts, a white forehead blaze, grey-brown back and strongly banded tail are key marks. Claw-like nails occur on most digits while the hind-foot hallux bears a flat nail; pelage alone cannot establish an individual's provenance. [1]
Specialised incisors, strong jaw muscles, gripping claws and a gut able to process gums form an exudate-feeding system. Small size and rapid movement along fine branches also support insect hunting in lower vegetation. [1]
Behaviour and ecology
Diurnal and arboreal, living in groups of about 2–13 and communicating through calls, scent and social contact. One or a few breeders receive help from males and older siblings that carry, protect and provision infants. [1]
Diet
Sap, gum and other plant exudates are important foods, accessed by gouging bark with the incisors. The diet also includes insects, spiders, fruit, flowers and nectar, with occasional eggs or small vertebrates. [1]
Reproduction and life cycle
Gestation lasts about 148 days and twins are typical. Together the twins may equal up to about 40% of the mother's mass, so males and other group members quickly assume much of the carrying work. [1]
Ecosystem role
Within its native range the species consumes exudates, preys on invertebrates and moves some fruit seeds. In introduced areas, competition and hybridisation with other marmosets can alter communities, so releasing captive animals is not a conservation action. [1,2]
Threats & conservation
The species is not currently globally threatened, but habitat loss, capture and trade still require control. Managed care must provide a social group, three-dimensional space, gouging and foraging opportunities, continuous provenance records and transaction-specific permits. [2,3]
Reviewed 23 September 2026: IUCN records LC; Callithrix jacchus is in CITES Appendix II. LC does not mean unrestricted collection or trade; introduced populations in south-eastern Brazil can also hybridise with other native Callithrix species.5 sourced facts
Species in five facts
The white ear tufts become conspicuous as an individual matures. [1]
It gouges bark openings that can be revisited repeatedly for exudates. [1]
A birth commonly produces twins after a gestation of about 148 days. [1]
Males and older siblings commonly carry infants for the mother. [1]
Wild groups commonly contain about 2–13 individuals. [1]
Sources
[1] Animal Diversity Web — Callithrix jacchus[2] IUCN Red List species search[3] CITES Appendices effective 5 March 2026[Ảnh] iNaturalist observation 280635358 — Antonio Nonato, CC BY